Talladega Superspeedway Races Named To Top-5 Best In Each of NASCAR’s Premier Series
TALLADEGA, Ala. – NASCAR has announced that three races at Talladega Superspeedway, the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and Mountain Dew 250 fueled by Fred’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race have each been named one of the top races of 2009.
“We are very excited that the races at Talladega Superspeedway were recognized by NASCAR,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey. “Talladega Superspeedway consistently produces the most competitive and memorable races of the year. We are looking forward to welcoming all of our fans to the April 23 – 25, 2010 Aaron’s Dream Weekend featuring the ARCA Racing Series 250, Aaron’s 312 and Aaron’s 499.”
Below is how NASCAR described the excitement of each race in chronological order:
Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway (April 25) – In a wild finish that resulted in the closest margin of victory of the season, David Ragan edged polesitter Ryan Newman for his first NASCAR national series victory. But it came at the expense of teammate Matt Kenseth, who barrel-rolled and slid on his roof after contact from Ragan sent him out of control on Lap 105. Newman led Dale Earnhardt Jr. with one lap remaining in the green-white-checkered finish. Contact between the two as they came off Turn 4 gave Ragan his opportunity, and a push from third-place finisher Joey Logano sealed the win. Ragan and Newman rubbed fenders right before the finish line, and Ragan crossed the stripe .030 seconds ahead of Newman.
In addition to the closest victory of the year in the Nationwide Series, the Aaron’s 312 also set season-high marks with 34 lead changes and 15 different leaders.
Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway (April 26) – In a typical wild and wooly Talladega finish, Brad Keselowski was a surprise winner, laying claim to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory. With Carl Edwards’ car flying hard into the catch fence behind him, Keselowski crossed the finish line just .175 seconds ahead of his mentor, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Driving the No. 09 Chevrolet for car owner James Finch, Keselowski moved to the inside when Edwards went high to block him in the final 400 yards of the 188-lap race. Edwards slid back down the track in another attempt to block, but Keselowski was already inside his left-rear quarter panel and his move to victory was on
The Aaron’s 499 featured the third-closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but the 57 lead changes among 25 drivers was second only to Talladega’s AMP Energy 500, which featured 58 lead changes among 25 drivers.
Mountain Dew 250 fueled by Fred’s at Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 31) – Kyle Busch narrowly beat teammate Aric Almirola by .057 seconds, the smallest margin of victory of the season. It was the first 1-2 finish for Billy Ballew Motorsports and Busch's fourth win in as many starts. There were 21 lead changes among 10 different drivers. The winner only led twice for a total of 10 laps.
Talladega Superspeedway is already gearing up for the 2010 Aaron’s Dream Weekend featuring qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, followed by the ARCA Racing Series 250 race on Friday, April 23. On Saturday, April 24, fans will see qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, followed by the Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. On Sunday, April 25, the greatest drivers in the world face off in the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
For more information on tickets to Talladega Superspeedway, please visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA. For our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). Tickets also are available in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. CDT, Monday- Friday.
